Chapter 4: Eighteen years old

Of all the places in the world for her to have a graduation party she had to choose here. The Life Café seemed to surround Mark and his life Roger thought. This place meant so much to them. Between the death of Boheme, the birth of Roger and Mimi, to the place they went after every funeral and birthday.

The Life Café was something special to them. And now A.J. had decided to have her graduation party here. Roger looked around the table at his small family. Mark was working on his last show, after this one he'd retire from acting and turn more towards screenplays, book writing, and directing. Roger had become quite successful as a songwriter. He'd even had a c.d. put out and a top ten on the radio. Collins was happy teaching at a small community college in the city. And Benny was happy producing movies for Indy film directors.

"Okay A.J. you've kept in the dark up till now. But you promised you'd tell us where you're going to school tonight." Collins said. A.J. nodded and stood. "Okay Uncle Collins, I'll tell. I, Angel Maureen Mimi-Jo Cohen-Jefferson, will be matriculating with the class of 2014 at," A.J. paused to look around her family, "New York University." There was applause as she bowed.

"Now you know to be careful, you have enough money." Mark said. He, Roger, and A.J. were standing outside the Life Café about to let A.J. go celebrate her graduation with her friends. "I promise dad I'll be fine. I have my cell, I have my subway pass, I have money, I have Roger's credit card, I have Uncle Collins' credit card, I have Uncle Benny's credit card, and I have the can of mace you make me carry. Can I please go?" A.J. whined. "Don't whine A.J." Mark said.

Mark was about to start asking her more questions when he felt Roger's hand go over his mouth. "Give your father and me a kiss and go have fun munchkin." Roger said smiling. A.J. kissed Roger's cheek then Mark's and ran towards her group of friends on the corner. "And don't have sex!" Mark yelled out as soon as Roger's hand moved. "Dad!" he could see A.J. turn red.

"Don't have sex?" Roger grinned at Mark as they entered the now empty loft. "I panicked." Mark shrugged. He looked around, "God I can't believe she's grown." Mark smiled. "Yeah, what are we going to do with all our free time?" Roger grinned. "Go back to the old ways. Have you taken your AZT yet?" Mark asked.

Roger grinned; he'd been waiting for that question. "I haven't taken it in a month." Roger said. "WHAT! Roger are you stupid? You're going to get sick. Are you punishing me?" Mark asked. Roger saw the real fear in Mark's eyes. "No Mark, healthy people don't have to take AZT." Roger said sitting on the table. "What?" Mark looked confused and then his face lite up. "You got your test results. Did it work?" Mark asked anxiously. "I'm one year A.I.D.S. free as of May 15." Roger smiled. Mark hugged his best friend. "Your cured it worked." Mark held onto Roger. Knowing now he'd never be left alone. That he'd always have Roger.

Mark took Roger's hand pulling him towards Mark's room. "Mark?" Roger asked. "No more waiting. No more some days Roger. No day but today, isn't that what we always taught A.J." Mark whispered pulling Roger into his room closing the door behind them.

They went slow at first, kisses were gentle and exploring. Caresses were curious and sweet. "Tell me when you knew?" Mark whispered looking at Roger. "Do you remember the night Mimi died, she asked everyone to leave for ten minutes?" Roger asked. "Yea. I didn't think anything about it." Mark said. "She told she loved me, that she had loved me but I'd never loved her the same way. That it hadn't been her eyes that had been haunting me on my way to Santa Fe. They'd been yours." Roger reached up taking Mark's glasses off. "None of my songs were for her that they'd all been for you. And she was right." Roger kissed Mark's check enjoying the way Mark shuddered under his lips.

"So why did you leave?" Mark asked as Roger pulled back. "It scared me, you scared me Mark." Roger said. Mark saw the honesty shining threw Roger's emeralds knowing it was the truth. "You were so pure, innocent and I felt like if I loved you I'd taint the perfection that was you. So that night when I left I was running from myself. Not you. Never you: you were always with me Mark. Everywhere I went I saw you or I'd see something that reminded me of you. Or best of all I'd hear your voice, I knew it was time to come back. I'm sorry I wasn't here when you needed me." Roger whispered burying his face in the crook Mark's neck.

Mark didn't know what to saw at this. Roger had just admitted everything, that twenty years ago when they were still young men, he'd loved Mark. But to protect Mark, Roger had run away. "I'm just glad you're here now." Mark whispered pulling Roger towards Mark's bed.

Their once soft kisses turned feverish, touching turned into teasing which turned into pleasurable torture for both of them. Roger got great pleasure of hearing his name on Mark's lips. Roger enjoyed watching Mark's eyes as they turned dark with a fire Roger felt in his own loins.

Mark enjoyed giving Roger pleasure. He enjoyed how Roger would gasp his name gripping his head, shoulders, anything to bring Mark closer to him.

Roger reached for the condoms he knew Mark stashed in his end table. "No." Mark breathed, "I want to feel you." He grabbed Roger's hand. "Mark, what if it's only a temporary fix." Roger moaned as he felt Mark touch him. "Then I die with you. I won't live with out you." Mark said. "But A.J." Roger whispered enlacing his fingers with Mark's. "She loves you Roger, she wants me to be happy, and in case you haven't noticed, H.I.V. is a death sentence, I love you Roger, no regrets."

Mark gasped unrepentantly as Roger entered him quickly. Mark soon found himself unable to control his extasy as he exploded with Roger following moments later. "Your shaking." Mark said as Roger pulled out of him. "You're amazing, I'm so lucky you love me." Roger whispered. Mark pulled Roger into his arms; Roger laid his head on Mark's chest listening to his heart as Mark simply held him.

Morning came to soon for Roger. He groaned as the light shown threw Mark's shades. "Morning lover," Mark whispered kissing Roger's temple. "Morning, hungry?" Roger asked Mark. "Do you have to even ask?" Mark said looking down at him smiling. Mark pulled on his sweat pants as Roger grabbed his jeans.

Mark opened his bedroom door, sitting in his living room were Collins, Benny, and his daughter. "Coffee's on dad." A.J. said. He thanked his angels that A.J. wasn't shocked at his late hour of sleeping. He gauged her reaction as Roger walked out of his room behind him. She smiled at Roger and then sipped her coffee.

Roger was sure that he and Mark were out of the woods till he heard A.J. say, "Geez Roger, I'm glad I now know what high, drunk, and really well fucked looks like." She looked at Roger and gave him his own eat shit grin. He flipped her off, "Maybe it's time you move into your own loft." Roger said. A.J. laughed as Mark sat on the arm of the couch, "Are you okay with this?" Mark asked. "Are you fucking kidding me I just made two hundred dollars off these to suckers." A.J. said grinning. "I'm happy for you daddy." Mark leaned down as she kissed his check.

Roger couldn't believe his luck; he had a beautiful adopted daughter who was amazingly bright and sweet. Two friends that he'd die for and knew that would die for him. And Mark, who was not only his best friend, and a amazing lover, he was Roger's soul mate. For once Roger felt peace settle over him.